Firstly, my thoughts on the cover. I think this model is so beautiful. Even better when you look at the paperback. She is simply stunning. I am a self-confessed cover-magpie, as regular visitors to my blog know by now. For me, there is something to be said about a remarkable cover as opposed to a cover that fades into the background. The cover for DESTINY'S REVENGE is one that stays with me. The colour is bold and striking. I could not have wished for better. The whole trilogy actually have some of the nicest covers I've ever seen.

I know you're thinking 'Oh just get on with it' so here goes:

Anyone who has read my review of it knows that I had a broken heart at the end of MEETING DESTINY.

I had a book hangover and could not read for a couple of days afterwards because the emotions stayed with me and I could not enjoy another book.

I read, a lot. So anyone who knows me knows that 2 days without reading is like a lifetime! But I was just too emotionally battered and raw. Seriously, if you think I'm being over-dramatic, go and read it for yourself. It will leave you reeling. I went through loss, sadness, hurt, heartbreak, anger. I defy you not to feel the same.

After reading a few others to give myself some distance, I finally managed to pluck up the courage to pick up DESTINY'S REVENGE. I knew I was in for another emotional battering so I mentally prepared myself.

Or so I thought.

I wasn't in fact as prepared as I had hoped. I got 17% through and I am not ashamed to admit, I cried like a baby. I will share with you my status update from Goodreads at the time:

"For all the hurt I felt, all the anger and frustration - I really felt broken at the end of Meeting Destiny. So much so, I delayed reading Destiny's Revenge. But now I've picked it up & am 6 chapters in. Now my heart has been put back. I just pray it doesn't get torn out again. I sometimes cry at the END of a book but this time, i've just started and am in floods."

DESTINY'S REVENGE starts where we left off at the end of MEETING DESTINY. Lauren was in an unexplained coma. Her physical injuries were healed and there was no other reason for her to still be in a coma. The doctors thought it best to move her to a care home where she would receive the best care, in the hopes that one day she would wake up.

It had been 2 and a half years since Lauren had been attacked by the bear whilst camping with her boyfriend Max. For all that time she had been in the coma. Max was by her side day and night for the first year but then he gave up hope that she would ever come out of it.

At this point I must make a little jump forward. I am too scared that I will a) reveal too much and b) start crying all over again.

So... fast forward to Max being home.

The man I love - I mean Lauren loves, Max is home from war. [no explanation, read the book & see what I mean] He goes to visit his grandfather, Joe who happens to be in the same care home as Lauren. [Lauren doesn't know that Max and Joe are related. Joe doesn't know she's Max's girlfriend. Max doesn't know that Lauren is out of the coma] He and Lauren have a wonderful, emotional reunion.

*Insert me crying like a baby here*

So now the pair are happily reunited, they can get on with a normal life. Right? Couldn't be more wrong!

I can't and won't tell you of the journey that awaits them. I don't like to overdo the details. All you need to know is this is one heck of a ride. From beginning to end, I was hooked. The only time I put it down was to go to bed last night (very grudgingly) and to take my son to school/collect him from school today. I really could not put it down. Too much was happening.

From the reunion of the two lovers, to the arrival of a very unwelcome [spoiler removed] called Samael. The journey is one of tension, emotion, happiness, sadness, a whole barrage of feelings that just slam into you one after the other. If I wasn't biting my nails, I was laughing or crying, I was sitting on the edge of my seat - praying for a good outcome for Lauren, Max and all they hold dear.

For me, this book was like a drug. I was the junkie and this was my fix. There are not enough words in the English language to describe how much this book stole my heart. Nancy Straight did it again.

I wasn't sure how the sequel would match up to the first book but it was just as emotional, just as gut-wrenching.

I will share with you the status update I wrote upon finishing...

"Whilst the last book ended on a note of sadness, loss, anger & broke my heart - this book ended in shock and anticipation. What is it that makes Nancy not end these books on a happier note? I can't wait to read Destinys Wrath. I can only hope as it ends the much beloved trilogy, that it ends happily. it's not a fairytale but we all dream of happily ever after!"

I can honestly say, though my heart doesn't hurt as much at the end of this book, I am still approaching DESTINY'S WRATH with some trepidation. I never know what is coming next in these books. One of the things I love so much about Nancy Straight is, you never know what's coming. Nothing about these books is in the slightest bit predictable. You might think you know where it's headed but let me tell you, you are SO wrong!

What more can I say? Only that I love Nancy's style of writing and I wish I were half as talented as her. It is truly amazing how an author can be responsible for so many emotions within my head, heart and soul!

I know this book, this trilogy, will stay with me and I will be telling people about them for many years to come.

I have been lucky enough to receive an email from Nancy today saying that she is sending me books 2 & 3 in paperback. (I already have book 1). This means that I will have a SIGNED trilogy for keeps AND another to give away!! I am so excited. Beyond excited really. So stay tuned for details. When they arrive, I will be sure to let you know!

Thank you Nancy for allowing me the chance to read & review your beautiful books. I hope what you told me is true and that you will continue to write many wonderful books!

Monday, 30 January 2012

I guess I had a bit of a slow week for deliveries last week. So I thought I'd combine this post to show last weeks as well.

Nancy sent me 2 absolutely gorgeous SIGNED paperback copies of MEETING DESTINY One signed & personalised to me - One for a giveaway - Stay Tuned on Valentine's Day to WIN!

REMEMBRANCE by Michelle MadowI actually ordered this one Michelle's birthday - what better present than to buy her book?I also ordered a SIGNED bookmark from Michelle which I look forward to receiving soon!

TOM FOOLERY by Colin Llewelyn Chapman.Colin gave me the Smashwords coupon code to get this! Not YA I know but it looks good! (and I don't only read YA)

This completes my IMM this week- I am looking forward to receiving Incarnate soon, though Book Despository are yet to ship it (I am NOT happy) - and I am still waiting for some books from Harper Collins! Look out for my next IMM! :)

I was asked the other day how come I have rated so many books as 5 stars recently. It made me feel the need to explain. I mean rating lots of books 5 star either means that a) I just award 5*'s willy-nilly or b) I have read a lot of awesome books lately.

My answer? B - all the way! I have read a LOT of really awesome book lately.

The thing is, I don't read one book then rate it 5* then read the next and compare it to the previous one when I am giving it a rating. I tend not to take previous books into account.

I am all about giving a book a star or in my personal case 'wing' rating based on it's own merits. As for what merits a 5 wing rating from me, well:

Good MC's

Good Plot-line

Good interactions between characters

An MC that I feel a connection with, maybe I feel as though I could be that MC

When it comes to romance, I feel that love triangles are a bit 'meh' - It depends on the author so... a good romance whether it's a love triangle but well done - or just an ordinary 'couple falling in love' - Romance wins me over every time. I am an old softie!

Well thought out plot points - not just throwing things in

Whether a story is fast-paced or a slightly heavier read - as long as it has all of the above, it's a winner for me. I won't hand out a '5 wing' rating if I don't truly think it deserves it. But if it really is worthy, why should I score it any lower just because I've given so many '5 wings' out?!

Firstly may I say, I was totally in love with this cover at first sight. As a self-confessed cover-magpie, how could I not love something as beautiful as this?! Well done Phat Puppy on another awesome creation!

From the colours to the model to the mysterious qualities it portray - much love for this stunning cover!

I was on Twitter when I discovered this book. I went to Kate's blog and it said to send her an email for a review copy. So naturally, I did.

At the time of finally getting round to reading it, I won't lie - I had forgotten what the blurb said. So actually, I kind of went into this book a bit blind. But I found I didn't mind that so much. It's good to have a surprise now and then.

Corinne Finley is just your average teenager. She works in her dad's cafe to earn her keep. She goes to school with her best friend Angeline. She's had a falling out with her 'almost boyfriend' Mason. Just a truly average life. That is until the day of the school Bake Sale.

Corinne bakes some absolutely delicious petit-fours. Yet another ordinary thing? Maybe if she hadn't used her late grandmothers food dyes to turn them different colours. But she did - and things just seem to go from strange to stranger still. Boys that haven't paid the slightest attention to her before are falling over themselves and each other, just to talk to her. Girls that ignore her start talking to her and begging her to dye their hair the same as hers.

At this point in the book (quite near the start) I was laughing to myself as a regular occurrence. They say simple things please simple minds. Well in that case, I don't mind being simple.

Bearing in mind, I normally have some clue as to where the book is going from the first few chapters, that was not the case with PYXIS. I was hooked and had to know what on earth could possibly come next.

The Bake Sale wasn't the only strange event.

Corinne discovers that her and Mason are sharing the same dreams. They are dreaming about a dark force that is intent on consuming everything around them. She is also being followed and is subsequently attacked by a strange woman who knows secrets about her family's past.

Corinne is left wondering who on earth this woman is, what she wants and who her grandmother really was.

Not all is as ordinary as it once seemed. Will things ever be the same as they once were? And can Corinne and Mason figure out why they are sharing dreams?

For the answers to these questions, you must read PYXIS for yourself.

For me, this book was a fresh seed planted in the YA world. I now look forward to it being nurtured and growing in the next book in the series, Alight.

I am really pleased that this book wasn't the same old, same old. It's nice to read something new and refreshing once in a while.

I enjoyed Kate's approach to this book. It wasn't a heavy read. It wasn't hard to get into. Instead it was light, fast-paced and kept me turning the pages to find out what was happening next.

The only break I took was when I finally needed to go to bed last night and when I took my son to school today. Other than those times, I have been sat with a cup of tea in one hand and my Kindle in the other.

I liked it so much that I said to my other half that if I could be any book character - I would choose to be Corinne Finley. No lie. I think she is a refreshingly different character. She's not all 'woe is me' like some and not as stuck up 'look at me aren't I special' like others.

I love Kate's unique style of writing and I look forward to there being more books in the series. I for one hope that there are several more to come.

Well done Kate on a beautiful debut and I look forward to the next installment in this great adventure.

Thursday, 26 January 2012

At this point in the evening, I am generally sat with my nose in a book. I was just about to do exactly that when I thought to check my emails. Imagine my surprise and utter delight when I opened one saying that I am auto-approved for anything I want from Macmillan. Yes, that's right, ANYTHING I WANT!! I went straight to Net Galley to download the two books I had asked for previously and found myself also requesting a third whilst I was there.

I jumped up and down in sheer excitement when the first one I saw I was approved for was

Having been a huge lover of The Immortals Series, I started reading Riley Bloom and also found myself in love. Beautiful books. I have DREAMLAND sat on my shelf waiting for me and now this gorgeous ARC is awaiting my attention!

Yes folks, this post is coming to you straight after me receiving an email from Rosi from Harper Collins.I am so gosh-darn excited I could not wait to share.So, I told her in big bold letters at the top of my reply that I WANT INSURGENT but then I think that should go without saying lol :)

Then, I asked her for 3 other awesome looking books. The first of which, I am really crossing my fingers for. What is it? You ask. Well, here, I'll show you:

As you know by now, I have the countdown widget on the side of my blog for this. FEVER the second installment in the Chemical Garden Trilogy.

Then, there is:

Just the cover alone has me salivating. What is it about? Well click on the link and it will take you to Goodreads to see UNRAVELLNG by Elizabeth Norris

(Though GR doesn't even have the cover up yet!)

and finally:

I have never read anything by Garth Nix before. However, I am going to be ordering Sabriel.

This book looks really different and interesting. Click the link to go to GR and see for yourself

Wednesday, 25 January 2012

As usual with my reviews, let's address the cover. I think it's striking. I love the red, it makes it stand out from the crowd. I love the wings behind the model (whom I will assume is Nikki Youngblood). Being the cover-magpie that I am, I would definitely have this on my shelf.

I was recently informed of Net Galley, a site where reviewers, librarians etc can request books for review.

So I signed up and requested some books. HALFLINGS caught my attention and I was lucky enough to get a reply within the first half an hour of joining saying that yes, they would give me the ARC.

I was so happy, let me tell you. I was hooked by the cover, drawn in by the blurb and I couldn't wait to download it and start reading.

HALFLINGS is the story of Nikki Youngblood, a 17 year old girl who unwittingly finds herself under the watchful eye and protection of 3 mysterious young men. Sworn to protect her, Mace, Raven and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe, whilst also keeping their own secret - the fact that they are not all they seem to be.

In the beginning, Nikki is attacked by what she believes to be dogs or maybe wolves. Little does she know that they are actually Hell-hounds and they will become perhaps the least of her worries.

But with Mace, Raven and Vine watching over her, she is rescued from being mauled to death by these vicious creatures.

She awakes in her own bed, believing that it was all only a dream.

Meanwhile, the boys guardian, Will, has enrolled them at the local school. Like it or not, the boys are stuck with going to Waterside High School. That is so not what they had in mind when they learned they would be coming on this journey.

Having found no marks on herself, Nikki is convinced she dreamt the whole thing. That is until she finds a spot of dried blood on her jeans.

I can't tell you what happened here, it would be far too 'spoilery' and that just isn't my style. Instead I will skip to the part where she meets the boys.

Nikki is out for a ride on her motorbike when she has to pull in to the gas station. She fills up the tank and across from her she sees a guy filling up an SUV. The guy speaks to her, but he has such a brusque manner that Nikki decides to get on her bike and ride away.

As she rides away, she sees his SUV in her rear-view mirror. He closes the distance between them in no time at all. This guy obviously has some kind of problem, only thing is, she doesn't know what.

Nikki nearly ends up in a collision with the guy in the SUV but thankfully Mace was watching over her and swoops in to the rescue.

Twice in a short space of time, Nikki has found herself being rescued. And by a handsome stranger, no less.

Having saved her, Mace takes her into a barn in a cornfield to keep the rain from falling on her. Letting her see him goes against the rules of the Halflings or as they sometimes call themselves, the Lost Boys. But Mace couldn't help himself. He's drawn to Nikki. He should be there to protect her, but he feels something more than just mere protection.

Back at school after the near-incident, Nikki's best friend Krissy asks her if she has seen the 3 gorgeous blond haired brothers. She hadn't seen them, but it wouldn't take long. After all, everyone knows near enough everyone in high school, right?!

Again, here I could be too 'spoilery', so I won't. All I can really say is, from here, Nikki meets the boys and boy is she in for a surprise. Life is not at all what it seemed to be.

Throw in a mixture of a growing attraction for one, or maybe even two of her protectors. Add a touch of danger here and there. Stir in some jealousy and hurt feelings, and you will end up with the fantastic story that lies within the pages of HALFLINGS.

I absolutely adored this book from beginning to end. It had a hint of Eden Maguire's Beautiful Dead series. A series that I also adored.

HALFLINGS was beautifully written, fast-paced, entertaining and immensely enjoyable. There is plenty of action, drama and romance. What struck me as different is that it is written in the third person as opposed to many of the books I have read of late.

I would certainly recommend this book to any of my friends who enjoy YA fiction, especially those who, like me, love books about angels.

Well done Heather Burch on a wonderful, creative, first book. I cannot wait for there to be more books in what is set to be an absolutely wonderful series.

As my 2nd blogger award, I feel highly honoured because it means that people actually like my little blog. I am so proud as this is my new blog and has only been going for nearly 3 months. So to receive an award like this, feels like winning an Oscar!

Here are the rules that go along with this award:

1. In a post on your blog, nominate 15 fellow bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award.(15 isn’t mandatory, but it’s a nice gesture. Try and pick at least 5 )

2. In the same post, add the Versatile Blogger Award.3. In the same post, thank the blogger who nominated you in a post with a link back to their blog.4. In the same post, share 7 completely random pieces of information about yourself.5. In the same post, include this set of rules.6. Inform each nominated blogger of their nomination by posting a comment on each of their blogs.

I'm not sure I have 7 completely random facts about myself.... *puts on thinking cap*.....

1. I got my first tattoo at 16 by pretending I was older and forging my mom's signature.

2. My favourite chocolate is a toss up between Cadbury's Creme Egg and Hershey's Caramel Kisses.

3. I am a typical Leo. Fiery, Feisty, Likes being in control. But I also have a good heart and would do anything for anyone. Even my worst enemy. Do unto others... and all that! :)

4. I have a toy monkey from when I was about 4. It was the first thing I bought with my own pocket money.

5. I am addicted to the colour purple. I would live in a totally purple house with purple furniture, the works, if it was up to me!

6. I absolutely adore Jasmine Becket-Griffith fairies.

7. Okay so this is completely random and will probably make you laugh... When I was in labour with my son Calum, I was so high on Entinox (gas & air) that I hallucinated that I was on the Hogwarts Express with Harry, Hermione and Ron...... Weird huh?

Thank goodness those facts are over. How embarrassed am I now? *blushes crimson*

And now for my blog award recipients.... *Fanfare Please*.......

A Belle's Tales (I couldn't not award it to my ToA, I love her dearly. Awesome blog. Awesome blogger!)

Kira Saito's Blog (I love this author so much. she is my long distance BFF - show her some love <3)

Sunday, 22 January 2012

I was going with my other half to get his tattoo yesterday and decided I wanted my next one. I asked the tattooist, Hannah, when the next available appointment was. As luck would have it, she had the time to do it there and then.Luckily, I had taken the book with me so that she could scan it and tell me a price.

I decided on having a tattoo to commemorate my favourite book of 2011, if not my favourite book EVER!

It's on my left shoulder. I know it looks sore but that's because this photo was taken only 5 minutes after it was done. Those of you who have read Divergent will know what it stands for. Those of you that haven't read it, you NEED to read it!!

I have always wanted a book-related tattoo, but hadn't found the right one, until now.

I know that this book will be a part of me for the rest of my life. Not only in my memories, in my beautiful tattoo. Okay so people in the street won't know why I have it, but I have tattoos for me, not them.

I started writing at the ripe age of 12.
At first, I wrote poems because of my lovely English teacher decided that we
should write poems and from then on, I fell in love with poetry. The writing
bug really bit me a year later when the movie of Nickelodeon movie, Clock
Stoppers came out. I thought the movie was going to be horrible, so I decided
that I would write a novel that would be better than the movie. Needless to
say, my book wasn't as good as the move but I didn't care. I love writing and
nothing else mattered. Thus my obsession with writing begun.

Q. What music do you listen to when you
write?

Actually, I don't listen to music when I
write. The reason I don't listen to music is because it distracts me from
writing. My favorite genre is electronic dance. So every time I listen to it
(especially Cascada or Rhianna's Please Don't Stop the Music) I want to dance
instead of write. So it's more of a hindrance instead of a help.

Q. Do you have any hidden talents?

Apparently, I have the talent of weaving
my hair. Everywhere I go people compliment me on my hair and they are so
shocked to know that I did it myself. You should see their faces, "You did
THAT yourself?" Yeah, of course. You know how expensive it is to get kinky
twists done? Over a hundred dollars easy, especially with all of the hair weave
I did and how long it is. I'll give you a hint: The hair is longer than you
think! I constantly sit on my hair, lol since I didn't originally intend for my
hair to be this long when I started out . . . But that's a whole different
story.

Q. What was your inspiration to put
together this anthology?

Funny enough, there wasn't any inspiration
at all! I know, such a bad answer for a writer, but I am telling the truth. You
see, I was taking a Creative Writing class and for the first time ever, I had
to write short stories. Before this point in my life, I never wrote a short
story but I found something funny about it: I loved it. I was able to delve
into the characters I loved, create new stories that would inspire bigger
ideas, and it was a way to play with the inner thoughts that floated my mind.
Even at one point, my professor told me that all of my novel ideas were really
short stories. Granted, at that time, I did not appreciate him saying that, but
some of my ideas were short stories. I just never knew it.

The poems in the anthology however, were
inspired by mostly my personal life. And other times, by the urge to write it
down. I don't think I could fully explain it properly, but when an idea hits
me, it's like lightening and I'm alert and aware that a poem is in me that
needs to be written. I've literally tried to go asleep with that feeling, but I
couldn't. I had to write it down into poetic form. It doesn't happen so often
(like once or twice a month) but when it happens, I have to write that poem
down or I can't think straight.

Oh, and one of the poems, In Death You
Speak, it was inspired by boredom in class. I was sitting in one of the English
Literature classes listening to them drone on and on about something, so I
wrote a poem instead of listening. J I know. I'm horrible.
A-soon-to-be English teacher not paying attention in an English classroom?
Shocker.

Q. What books of yours should we be
looking out for release next?

The next book I'm currently editing that
you should look for is the sequel for Everblossom.

Blurb:

An anthology that will quench
your thirst for more than the ordinary.

Everblossom is a
journey through poems and short stories that may seem ordinary on the surface
but dig a little deeper and the world not only shifts . . . It changes.

The
author who brought you Iwishacana/Acanawishi,
now brings you a dash of everything from dark fantasy to the paranormal to
romance. So prepare yourself to delve into the three stages of the flower from
bud to blossom then back to seed; you'll go through them all with a whole new
perspective on what it all truly means.

I'm reading Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves.
It's a gorgeously dark fantasy book from an author I love. Sadly, I'm almost
finished with it but I will give it a grand review hopefully sometime next
week. I'm so excited to share this book with my followers!

Q. What is the most difficult thing about
being a writer? What is the easiest thing?

The easiest thing about writing is coming
up with the ideas. I come up with new ideas practically every day I take a step
outside. Now the hardest part about writing is putting your idea on paper and
making it come across right. Especially for a novel. It's a long journey from
the first page until the last and to make sure it's projecting the idea from
cover to cover from word to word is the most difficult part. As a writer, you
have to be consistent, persistent, and have excellent time management to be
able to complete a novel with style, grace and be sane. Seriously. Ask some
writers if they haven't pulled their hair out over a story that just wouldn't
translate from their brain onto the paper right. Ah, the makings of a novel.

Q. Quick: Vampire or
Shapeshifter?

Shapeshifters all the way.
Vampires get way too much hype right now and they have become mainstream and
valued for their apparent sex appeal. Shapeshifters on the other hand, will
always win in a battle, they are scary, and they are sexy. Win win.

Q. What is the most rewarding thing about
being a writer?

I know for me, the most
rewarding thing about being a writer is getting back reviews from people who
have bought and loved your book. And understood your ideas! I was really
wondering about the poems I wrote called WSV (Words Speak Volumes). For the
longest time I debated about publishing them in the first place since all they
were was words written down a page telling a story in an odd way. I thought
that maybe people just wouldn't get it.

It warmed my heart that not only
did people understand my poems, they loved them! I couldn't be more thrilled
since my poems have never been out to see daylight (yes, I get the Emily
Dickinson irony there)! Therefore, I'm always glad to receive somewhat of fan
mail on how my writing has made people think in a whole new way once they read
Everblossom: A Short Story and Poetry Anthology.

Q. Any advice for writers?

I have plenty of advice for
writers! They can check out these links on my blog here:

But overall, I'd say keep
writing and keep reading. Do your research. Do not limit yourself with
traditional publishing or self publishing. It is possible to do both.

Q. Anything you want to say to
your readers?

To my readers, I have to say you
are the driving force behind my writing. You are the people I am so grateful
for and I hope that you will find time to read my books and love them just as
much as I do. And if you do love them to pieces, then please express and share
your love in reviewing my books online! That is all the thanks I need at the
end of the day.

I Was Awarded...

I Was Given The Liebster Blog Award

Gothic Angel's Goodreads Shelf

About Me

My name is Keren. I am a 30 year old mom of 1. His name is Calum and he is 6.
Reading is pretty much in my blood and I have been reading since I knew what the written word was. I used to be the biggest Stephen King and Dean Koontz fan but have now broadened my horizons and my tastes encompass a lot of things. I have very eclectic taste in life in general. From the Gothic, to the more girly.
I am a big lover of Indie Authors such as Nancy Straight, Rachael Wade, Selene Chardou, Kate Laurens, Jo A Cattell and far too many others to name.
I have just signed a publishing contract with Limitless Publishing for a YA Paranormal Romance I have just finished writing called Stolen.